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Commissioners approve final county gun buyback after state law bans local events
Summary
The court approved use of remaining funds to host a final gun buyback on Aug. 16; commissioners said House Bill 3053 passed this year prohibits local governments from continuing buybacks, making the event likely the county's last.
El Paso County Commissioners on July 28 approved using remaining funds to hold a final gun buyback event on Aug. 16, 2025, after noting that a recent state law will bar future county-sponsored buybacks.
The nut graf: Commissioner Coronado, who had asked the consent item to be pulled for comment, thanked county teams for organizing prior buybacks and said House Bill 3053, enacted in the last legislative session, restricts counties from conducting such events, meaning the Aug. 16 drive is likely the county's last.
The vote to allocate $24,498.81 in remaining funds for the event cleared the court on a voice vote. Commissioner Coronado praised cross-department cooperation among the auditor's office, purchasing, sheriff's office and county administration that made the buybacks run smoothly and said the county will miss the tool once the state prohibition is in effect.
The county did not outline alternative strategies for firearm safety or disposal in this session; commissioners requested staff continue to monitor legal options and community safety programs.
